As long as you don't store the sail in the sun on the CDI, you don't need a
UV edge cover. If you plan to store it where the sun can get at it (you
mentioned keeping your boat in a slip), then you definitely should consider
getting the UV protection fairly soon.
In the Sailrite catalog, they say that the 5 oz "sacrificial" cloth they sell
for covers "lasts 4-5 years, even in tropical climates." How long will the
cloth in your sail, which isn't designed to be constantly exposed to the sun,
last compared to that? Probably, the sun will destroy your sail in 3 -5
years. Protected from chafe, sun and mildew, a dacron sail will last
indefinitly (even if it does stretch, it will still be safe to use).
When we bought our 1985 P19, Redwing, the tanbark mainsail was very faded
from being stored on the boom without a sailcover in a slip for about 4
years. I didn't trust it so I just ordered a new mainsail. (I once bought a
really cheap, old storm sail. It ripped out of the clew the first time I
used it) In comparison, the tanbark lapper on the furler had a UV edge cover
and is still in very good condition, although the edge cover is showing its
age.
It's much cheaper to sacrifice a UV edge than to replace a sail. Around
here, it costs about $60-90 to have a new UV cover installed on a P19 sail.
There are light weight 3 oz. dacron UV covers that last about 4-6 years,
depending on the amount of sun you get in your location. That would be good
for a light wind sailing venue. The heavier edge covers, made of sunbrella,
last almost twice as long.
I would think twice before I sprayed 303 on my sail or I'd call the
manufacturer to ask about how 303 affects dacron sailcloth. 303 is made to
go on old sunbrella to restore its water repellancy and UV resistance.
Sailcloth dacron is impregnated with resins that help it keep its shape and
prevent stretching. I don't know what the 303 stuff would do to the resin.
Hope this helps you make your decision.
Fair winds,
Judy B.
Judith Blumhorst, DC
HMS18/P19 Fleet Cap'n, Potters Yachters
1985 WWP19 #266 Redwing
(Rigged so a petite woman can solo)
Sailing on SF Bay, CA
(5-35 knot winds, 2-4' chop, 2-6' swells, and currents up to 6 knots)
Visit <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/jblumhorst/HomePage/index.htm">Judy B's
West Wight Potter Pages
</A>
and <A HREF="http://songbird.com/potter_yachter/">The Official Web Site of
the Potter Yachters
</A>